The Jerry Garcia Foundation, in partnership with the Playing for Change Foundation, invites the world's participation in a global "acts of kindness" social media project with the video release of "Ripple."

SAN FRANCISCO, July 30, 2015 — (PRNewswire) — "Let there be songs to fill the air."

A new music video of "Ripple," a song composed by Jerry Garcia and written by lyricist Robert Hunter, heralds the August 1, 2015 launch of the #RippleEffect social media art project. The project, initiated by the Playing For Change Foundation in collaboration with The Jerry Garcia Foundation, invites people from all over the world to create a visual "ripple effect" as they share stories of gratitude and kindness via social media.

The Jerry Garcia Foundation's co-founder, Keelin Garcia, honors her father, Jerry Garcia, as she sings with a talented group of musicians who share their artistry on a global version of the Grateful Dead's, "Ripple," produced by Playing for Change and presented by JamBase. Keelin joins other talented artists such as Jimmy Buffett, David Crosby, Bill Kreutzmann, and David Hidalgo, on a newly released version of the song. Jerry's Fender Stratocaster guitar makes an appearance in the music video as well, and is played by Playing for Change musician, Vasti Jackson.

"It was a great honor to sing my father's song on this recording of 'Ripple' and to support the mission of bringing music education to children around the world," said Keelin Garcia. "It's such a worthy cause. My dad would be very moved by the work of the Playing for Change Foundation."

The #RippleEffect #StoriesofGratitude social media art project is being launched on Jerry Garcia's Birthday, August 1st and will continue into the coming months.
Everyone around the world is invited to participate.
Participation guidelines are as follows:

1. Please share a story about an act of kindness on a social media platform such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram. Stories may include gratitude for acts of kindness or stories of kind acts that you have observed or initiated.

2. Create your own artistic interpretation of a visual #RippleEffect using photos, videos or art materials. (For example, film the ripples created in a water fountain) After creating an image or video, add the hashtags #PFCF #JGF #RippleEffect #StoriesofGratitude, #GlobalArt then share the post on social media.

3. Tag 3 friends in the post and invite them to continue the ripple.
#PFCF #JGF #RippleEffect #StoriesofGratitude #GlobalArt

*Select submissions will be included in a compilation video to be released on Playing For Change Day 2015 on September 19th.

*A #RippleEffect Global Art Collage will be constructed and shared on The Jerry Garcia Foundation website and travel in an exhibition featuring the art of Jerry Garcia.

Elizabeth Hunter, Executive Director of PFCF, said, "The song is the centerpiece of a global campaign to support the Playing for Change Foundation which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating positive change through music and arts education. Playing For Change and the Playing For Change Foundation are honored to extend the legacy of Jerry Garcia and to support the efforts of the Jerry Garcia Foundation to continue the Ripple Effect of love and positive change through music."

"The outpouring of love from the community in celebration of Jerry's music with the Grateful Dead at the anniversary concerts in Chicago speaks volumes to the enduring beauty of the music. The Ripple video exemplifies that beauty," said Manasha Garcia, President of the Jerry Garcia Foundation. "It is an honor to partner with the Playing for Change Foundation in this global art project as we share the belief that music brings peace and great healing to the world."

Mark Johnson, Co-founder of Playing For Change, succinctly sums up the gift of music and art, "While there are many things that separate us, we know that creating and sharing music and art provides a unique and powerful opportunity for connection that crosses all boundaries. We see this everyday with the children who are in our schools around the world. In creating this version of the beautiful song, 'Ripple,' we hope to inspire long-time fans as well as a new generation to be a source for peace and positive change in the world through music."
http://playingforchange.org/

Established in early 2015 by Jerry Garcia's daughter, Keelin Garcia, and his wife, Manasha Garcia, The Jerry Garcia Foundation serves to support meaningful causes through the beauty of art and music. Musician Bob Weir, concert promoter Peter Shapiro and Seth Rogin from Mashable are members of the Foundation's Advisory Board.
www.jerrygarciafoundation.org